Sri Lanka

Project Goal:

In 2005, shortly after the tsunami, Dr. Martina Fuchs met Madumekala, an adolescent girl suffering from panhypopituitarism. At age 11, Madu was the height of a three year old. In an unsupported gesture of compassion, Dr. Fuchs chose to fund Madu's treatment for growth hormone therapy and initiated the supervision of this treatment through Ruhuna Medical College, Galle. While over the next two years, as RMF expanded this program to care for 6 more children suffering from long term health conditions, it was impossible to predict that this one act of compassion would initiate a country wide program to identify and treat over 120 more children suffering from human growth hormone deficiencies. 

Photo: Children, parents, RMF Staff and Professor Sujeewa gather at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for monthly check-up.

Provide long-term medical support and treatment to children suffering from congenital health conditions affecting Growth Hormone production and cholesterol modulation.                         

 Project Objectives:

To coordinate and manage the system which delivers treatment to the children, provides medical consultations and ensures patient compliance to treatment protocols to optimize the children’s chances for growth and maximum health benefits.

Summary of RMF-sponsored activities carried out during the reporting period under each project objective:

• Organized and held 3 monthly meetings for the months of October, November, and December.
• Information was collected from the children about their treatment progress at the monthly meetings. 
• Traveling expenses and nutritious food packages were also provided for the children and their families.
• On the 3^rd of October 2011 the children and their parents participated in a meeting at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and met with Prof. Sujeewa, his Assistant, Dr. Rohan and the officials of the Baurs Company.  
• The dosage of the Growth Hormone Therapy was increased for Fazeer Ahamed and Madumekala Ubeywarna.
• The monthly Rs.2,199 worth food parcels were handed over to the 5 children by Mr. Nishantha Sandakelum for the months of October & November 2011 but for the month of December they were given to the children by Mr. Michael Matheke-Fischer, RMF’s Director of Programs, India, who visited RMF’s Sri Lanka projects

Madumekala:

During the month of October 2011 Prof. Sujeewa examined Madumekala and decided to increase the dosage of her Growth Hormone Therapy from 6 clicks to 7, and will now need 4 Vials for a month. He explained to the parents again that they need to ensure she is receiving the correct dosage at regular intervals.  Madumekala is also continuing Sex Hormone Medication, Climen at 1 tablet daily. There has been no change in her height recently but we have seen progress in her weight gain.  Baurs Company had provided an Auto Click Machine for her use.  

Fazeer Ahamed: 

Prof. Sujeewa has increased Fazeer’s dosage from 7 clicks to 10 clicks to try and increase his weight gain. Fazeer’s treatment has been successful so far with his height increasing.  Fazeer studies well in school and is now in the 10^th grade of the International School in Bandarawela.  His mother is very pleased with her son’s progress and she gives her gratitude and appreciation to RMF for this great humanitarian act. Fazeer’s mother also thanks RMF for the generous support of providing a nutritious food parcel and covering traveling expenses as they travel far away.

Madura Madushanka:

Madura has not increased much in height and weight since last quarter. Madura is now 15 years old and studying well in grade 11.  Madura continues to receive 4 Growth Hormone vials a month. His mother always complains that he eats very little and Prof Sujeewa explained that Growth Hormone therapy cannot be increased yet due to Madura’s lower weight. Madura will continue with Growth Hormone Therapy at the current dosage of 7 clicks per day.  His parents visit the clinic twice every month as Prof. Sujeewa has recommended, issuing 2 vials at each visit to minimize their traveling.  Madura also receives a food parcel each month with many nutritious food items.

Gayan Madushanka:

Gayan is now 16 years old and studying in the 5^th grade. He first started Growth Hormone therapy in June of 2007 and sex hormone therapy in May 2011.  His height had continued to increase over the past quarter, while his weight has been fluctuating. No change in dosage was ordered by Prof Sujeewa.  Sex hormone injections were also given the following days of the month.

Tharindu

Tharindu suffers from Hyperlipidemia and has been receiving treatment for his condition from Real Medicine Foundation since 2005. He is now 18 years old, looking healthy and weighs 69 kg.  The new blood profile taken during the October visit had shown good results. The medication dosages ordered have not changed.  Dr. Arosha Dissanayake, the Consultant Physician for the Teaching Hospital at Karapitiya asked him to continue the medication for now and return every 3 months for new blood profiles.  Tharindu also receives a food parcel from RMF.